Chapter 539 Encountering a Robbery
Jiang Fenghua saw that when people came in earlier, they were indeed subjected to very strict checks before they could enter the exhibition hall. There were not only countless guards around, but the government also sent people to patrol around the exhibition hall.
They didn't realize that such a defense wouldn't stop real bandits.
Shen Yao easily led them into the exhibition hall, and the guards treated Shen Yao with great respect.
Although Jiang Fenghua had lost her memory, she still did not let her guard down.
Looking at the dazzling array of exquisite jade artifacts before one's eyes is both overwhelming and awe-inspiring. The majority of the merchants who travel to the Southern Kingdom are from the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Shen Yao volunteered to be their tour guide, leading them around. Bai Yuhan was utterly astonished. "I've never seen so many exquisite jade artifacts before! Have we arrived in the jade capital? People really should get out and about more. These jade ornaments are so beautiful!"
A large crowd had gathered there, all eyes fixed on an old man.
Seeing Jiang Fenghua staring intently, Shen Yao explained, "Everyone calls him Master Wu, a very famous jade carving master in our Licheng."
At this moment, Master Wu was repairing a broken jade ornament. He was very focused, his hands were covered with calluses, and his movements were very skillful. Every movement was meticulous and careful, showing that he was a master craftsman.
Shen Yao explained, "People who do this kind of work must be extremely precise and careful in every movement, otherwise it will cause incalculable losses. Master Wu's skills are also very good, and everyone trusts him, which is why they dare to entrust their damaged jade artifacts to him for repair."
They learned from Shen Yao that not everyone who could enter the exhibition hall was rich. Some people spent a small amount of money to buy rough stones, cut them open, and found high-quality jade. They became rich by selling the jade. Others went bankrupt because of gambling on stones.
The South is a dreamlike country.
Wu Sanye suddenly looked up at Shen Yao. He subconsciously stood up from his seat to bow, but Shen Yao stopped him with a look. Wu Sanye continued what he was doing.
Jiang Fenghua keenly noticed their interaction, but she remained calm and continued strolling around.
Shen Yao was clearly very relaxed from the moment he entered the exhibition hall. He said that he was the heir of the Yun Prince's Mansion and was forced to take up the position of Shaofu. So what was he doing a few months ago?
At this moment, she suddenly saw a man and a woman strolling around as if they had a purpose. The two were dressed in the clothing of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and they even went to the large exhibits. There were also maids introducing the value and craftsmanship of the exhibits, and introducing which famous artist made them.
Jiang Fenghua asked Shen Yao, "Are the items in here also for sale to the public?"
"Of course, the items on the first floor are relatively easier to sell and cheaper. The items upstairs are all high-end and are therefore more expensive. Here, as long as you can offer a reasonable price, buying and selling is not a problem."
Shen Yao, with great expertise, explained, "If you want to take jade back to the Great Zhou Dynasty to sell, I can help you buy high-quality items at the lowest possible price, guaranteeing you a worthwhile trip." He was very hospitable and helpful.
Jiang Fenghua said, "I don't think Lord Shen is like someone who solves cases and catches thieves; he seems more like a shrewd businessman."
Shen Yao was stunned, but then a smile appeared on his face as he quickly said, "I'm just a minor official who catches thieves. I only know a little about it because I've been around my elders for a long time."
Jiang Fenghua clearly didn't believe it. Shen Yao was very clear about the process and could introduce the exhibits with ease. She guessed that his relationship with this jade shop was not simple.
However, this information was irrelevant to her, as she had little interest in jewelry.
Her memory was blank, except for the last two months. Lin Yu tried to come up with many excuses to deal with her, but they were all full of loopholes. She even said that she came to the South on a business trip, but it seemed to her as if she had been chased by enemies and fled to the South.
Jiang Fenghua even wondered if they had committed some serious crime, which was why Lin Yu had taken her to hide and flee.
Just then, a well-dressed little girl walked over from a distance and greeted Shen Yao, "Brother Yao, you're back?"
Upon seeing the woman, Shen Yao quickly pulled her aside and whispered, "They are my friends and don't know my identity. I now share the same surname as you, Shen, and I am the heir of the Yun Prince's Mansion. Remember that, it's the same old rule."
Shen Bingxuan understood and said, "Why didn't you go back to the palace when you came back? Instead, you came to the shop to wander around aimlessly. Be careful that your father doesn't lock you up again."
"Shh." Shen Yao quickly stopped him. He didn't like staying in the palace every day, but preferred to do business. He was forced to take up the position of Shaofu.
At this moment, the little girl looked at Jiang Fenghua and the others with even more curiosity.
The three of them were also puzzled by Shen Yao's actions, and they had no idea what Shen Yao and the little girl had said to each other.
Shen Yao walked towards them and introduced, "This is my sister, her name is Shen Bingxuan."
Seeing that the three people were dressed in southern attire but did not have the demeanor of southerners, Shen Bingxuan smiled and said, "Hello, my name is Shen Bingxuan. Are you my brother's guests? Welcome to the Southern Kingdom."
The three nodded and introduced themselves, saying, "Hello."
Just then, a group of people suddenly surrounded Shen Yao. "Sixth Young Master is back. Please go home first!"
Shen Yao said coldly, "I'll go back by myself in a bit. You may all leave now."
The man clearly didn't believe he would go back. "Your subordinate is also in a difficult position. Young master, please come with us! Otherwise, we won't be able to explain ourselves."
Shen Yao finally gave in and said to Shen Bingxuan before leaving, "Xuan'er, please take care of my guests. I'll be back soon."
He was furious with the hidden guards, but dared not resist. "I will come back for you. Just wait for me at the inn."
The group felt awkward. He was clearly being held hostage, so how could he possibly have a chance to come looking for them?
Why were they waiting for him at the inn?
As they turned to leave the exhibition hall, they saw a man and a woman in the corner with greedy eyes. They even set their sights on Master Wu, thinking that his skills were indeed very good.
Jiang Fenghua led the group out of the jade shop, her pace quickening. She was unfamiliar with the place and disliked it.
After leaving the exhibition hall, the group prepared to part ways with Shen Bingxuan.
Before they had gone far, Shen Bingxuan caught up with them again. "I promised Brother Yao I would take care of you, so let me treat you to a meal! It's lunchtime now, and the food at that restaurant over there is especially delicious; it's all our southern specialties."
Lin Yu asked directly, "Is Miss Shen Young Master Shen's younger sister?" She wouldn't be friends with dishonest people.
Shen Bingxuan was a little embarrassed and gave an ambiguous answer, "I... I am naturally my brother's sister!"
Bai Yuhan also realized, "They're not telling us the truth, so they obviously don't consider us friends. Let's go."
Jiang Fenghua didn't say a word, but she keenly sensed the unusual activity around her. She quickly pulled Lin Yu and Bai Yuhan aside and said to Shen Bingxuan, "Miss Shen, don't worry about us, let's go report to the authorities! Something's very wrong here..."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a group of menacing-looking people stormed into the exhibition hall.
Immediately afterwards, a series of explosions rang out from inside the exhibition hall, and people were fleeing everywhere. Shen Bingxuan was also dumbfounded.
Seeing her standing there dumbfounded, Jiang Fenghua pulled her along, saying, "Let's get out of here first, it's dangerous here."
Shen Bingxuan was practically dragged away, and Bai Yuhan quickly followed, almost paralyzed with fear: "What happened?"
Lin Yu said, "They might be pirates." A bad feeling rose in her heart. She didn't expect the Southern Kingdom to be in such chaos during her trip here.
Just then, Yang Guaizi, who had been arrested and taken to the yamen, suddenly appeared at the entrance of the jade shop. He led his men into the jade shop and began robbing the jade items and the customers who entered the shop.
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